State Sen. Richard Moore (D-Uxbridge) praised the response by emergency personnel and spoke about the future of security at Boston events.

On Wednesday, Moore, who served as an associate director for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from 1994 to 1996, said the immediate actions of first responders were exemplary.

"The response from EMTs, fire and the National Guard was impressive," he said. "My review of the response and recovery efforts is positive - it was a close-to-textbook response."

He said, despite the horrific events, there were a number of factors working in favor of those injured by the blast.

"Boston is one of the best places in the country for health care," he said. "This also happened in a place where there was a medical tent with nurses and doctors. They obviously didn't expect this, but they were able to perform triage on the scene."

Moore said security presents a massive challenge at the marathon, given its sheer scope and decentralized nature.

"(Police) can't be standing everywhere along the marathon route," he said. "It's a difficult problem to solve."

He did note, though, that the start and finish lines of the race will likely see additional security in the future, as those are places where runners and spectators congregate.

Moore said the city's Fourth of July festivities, especially the concert at the Esplanade, are comparatively easier to secure.

"People have to cross the highway to get there, and there's the river on the other side," he said. "There's an ability to lock that area down."

That event, however, does pose its own challenges, he said.

"Fireworks are explosions that are planned, and we don't want them to work as cover for other explosions," he said. "People could be desensitized to the sound."

According to Moore, it is difficult to gauge the effect of the marathon bombings on future security measures without a more thorough understanding of the nature of the threat.

"It will be helpful when we know who did it - whether it's al-Qaeda, a worldwide threat or something domestic," he said.

Moore said his tenure at FEMA coincided with several terrorist attacks, and the marathon bombing could be compared to the 1996 Olympic bombing in Atlanta.

"I think it's more comparable than the other event during my tenure, the Oklahoma City Bombing," he said. "That bombing wasn't during a special event, while the marathon, for all intents and purposes, is like an Olympic event."

Mike Gleason can be reached at 508-634-7546 or mgleason@wickedlocal.com. For news throughout the day, follow him on Twitter @MGleason_MDN.